Chrysosplenium oppositifolium

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644011133890f455198084
Scientific name Chrysosplenium oppositifolium
Authority L.
First published in Sp. Pl. : 398 (1753)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

According to Jones & Clarke (1987) in their survey of British folk medicine, opposite-leaved golden saxifrage (*Chrysosplenium oppositifolium*) was recorded as a diuretic tea in the Scottish Highlands, made by infusing a small handful of fresh leaves in boiling water for five minutes. Leighton (1985) found a similar use described in 17th-century Welsh manuscripts, where the plant's aerial parts were dried and decocted in water for kidney complaints. Across the Channel, Longpré (1994) documented its application by herbalists in northern France, where poultices made from crushed leaves were used topically to soothe mild skin irritations. These sources consistently report preparations involving aqueous infusions or decoctions of the leaves, highlighting its role in traditional European water-based remedies.

For a practical, mild infusion: Steep 2-3 fresh leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried) in 200 ml of just-boiled water for 5-7 minutes. Strain before drinking. While generally considered safe in culinary quantities, avoid use during pregnancy and limit consumption to 1-2 cups daily due to limited safety data. Individuals with existing kidney conditions should consult a healthcare professional.

Active constituents reported for this species include flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, as well as phenolic acids and iridoid glycosides such as asperuloside (Li et al., 2018). These compounds plausibly contribute to the traditional diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Today, the plant is primarily grown in rock gardens, with modern research focusing on its antioxidant capacity (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020) rather than direct commercial medicinal applications.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
- The species is widely cultivated as an ornamental ground‑cover plant for moist, shaded sites. It is sold by commercial nurseries for use in shade gardens, woodland borders, and water‑garden margins. The low, mat‑forming habit and fine foliage make it attractive for naturalistic plantings and for softening the edges of ponds or streams. In horticultural trade it appears in plant‑finder catalogues, such as the Royal Horticultural Society’s Plant Finder, and in specialty water‑garden plant lists.

Properties relevant to use:
- The plant tolerates consistently moist to water‑logged soils and periodic inundation, a trait that enables its use in water‑garden margins. It grows to a height of 5–15 cm and spreads via short rhizomes, forming a dense, low‑growing mat. The foliage is fine‑textured and semi‑evergreen, providing year‑round ground cover. These morphological and physiological characteristics—shade tolerance, moisture‑adaptation, and compact growth—make it suitable for low‑maintenance ornamental plantings and for stabilising moist soils.

Standards and regulation:
- As an ornamental species, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium is subject to the same plant‑health and quarantine regulations that govern the import and movement of horticultural material in many jurisdictions. In the European Union, plants sold for planting must carry a Plant Passport, and in the United States they are regulated by the Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Quarantine program. The species is not listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and is considered of least concern by national red‑list assessments.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Wild populations of the species are generally widespread and not considered threatened, but commercial suppliers increasingly rely on nursery‑propagated material to avoid depletion of local populations. Sustainable horticultural practice guidelines recommend sourcing propagules from cultivated stock rather than harvesting from natural habitats. Where wild collection does occur, it is typically limited to small, non‑destructive quantities for regional propagation programs. Ongoing monitoring by botanical societies helps ensure that trade does not negatively impact regional populations.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Saxifraga aurea Garsault Fig. Pl. Med. 4: t. 520 b. 1764, nom. inval., opus utique oppressum; Descr. Pl. Anim. 310. 1767; Thell. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. Ser. II. viii. 905.
Chrysosplenium auriculatum Crantz Inst. Rei Herb. 1: 133 (1766)
Chrysosplenium octandrum Caque ex Steud. Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 360 (1840)
Chrysosplenium repens Link ex Steud. Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. i. 360.

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English opposite-leaved golden saxifrage
English golden-saxifrage
English opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage
Catalan dorine à feuilles opposées
Czech mokrýš vstřícnolistý
Welsh tormaen
Welsh eglyn cyferbynddail
Danish småbladet milturt
German gegenblättriges milzkraut
German dorine à feuilles opposées
French dorine à feuilles opposées
Upper Sorbian blěda šleznička
Cornish torrmen owrek
Lithuanian dorine à feuilles opposées
Norwegian Bokmål kystmaigull
Dutch paarbladig goudveil
Norwegian Nynorsk kystmaigull
Polish Śledziennica naprzeciwlistna
Slovak slezinovka protistojnolistá
Slovenian nasprotnolistni vraničnik
Swedish kustgullpudra
Swedish dorine à feuilles opposées

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Europe
    • Middle Europe
      • Belgium
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Germany
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Switzerland
    • Northern Europe
      • Denmark
      • Great Britain
      • Ireland
      • Norway
      • Sweden
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Italy
      • Yugoslavia
    • Southwestern Europe
      • France
      • Portugal
      • Spain

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000604047
Tropicos 29100017
INPN 91120
Flora of Italy 11670
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:790635-1
The Plant List kew-2720223
Open Tree Of Life 294944
NCBI Taxonomy 1155259
NBN Atlas NBNSYS0000003510
IPNI 790635-1
iNaturalist 69626
GBIF 7526486
EPPO CPUOP
EOL 5596414
Wikipedia Chrysosplenium_oppositifolium
CMAUP NPO15904

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The most polyphagous insect herbivore? Host plant associations of the Meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) Thompson V, Harkin C, Stewart AJ PLoS One 04-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10602594
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0291734
PMID:37792900
Scrub encroachment promotes biodiversity in temperate European wetlands under eutrophic conditions Brunbjerg AK, Fløjgaard C, Frøslev TG, Andersen DK, Bruun HH, Dalby L, Goldberg I, Lehmann LJ, Moeslund JE, Ejrnæs R Ecol Evol 01-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9627074
doi:10.1002/ece3.9445
PMID:36340817
Invasive Impatiens glandulifera: A driver of changes in native vegetation? Bieberich J, Müller S, Feldhaar H, Lauerer M Ecol Evol 12-Jan-2021
PMCID:PMC7863669
doi:10.1002/ece3.7135
PMID:33598133

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoyl derivatives
Capillin 10321 Click to see 168.19 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(+)-Epi-alpha-bisabolol 1201551 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(CCC=C(C)C)O 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,4S,6R,10S)-4,12,12-trimethyl-9-methylidene-5-oxatricyclo[8.2.0.04,6]dodecane 9991037 Click to see 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Caryophylla-4,8-dien-5-ol 14524924 Click to see CC1(CC2C1CCC(=C)C(CCC2=C)O)C 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Caryophyllene 5281515 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C 204.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Fgpdtarjoxrwjd-rrfjbimhsa- 11435962 Click to see 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Oplopanone 10466745 Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(C2C1C(CC2)C(=O)C)(C)O 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids
Spathulenol 92231 Click to see CC1(C2C1C3C(CCC3(C)O)C(=C)CC2)C 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids
(1S,2S,3S,6S)-3-ethenyl-3-methyl-6-propan-2-yl-2-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol 102012174 Click to see 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids
(1R,2R,4aR,5R,8aS)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4a-methyl-8-methylidene-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8a-octahydronaphthalene-1,5-diol 10729639 Click to see CC12CCC(C(C1C(=C)CCC2O)O)C(C)(C)O 254.36 unknown via CMAUP database
2-[(2R,4aR)-4a,8-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-naphthalen-2-yl]propan-2-ol 10632752 Click to see CC1=CCCC2(C1=CC(CC2)C(C)(C)O)C 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Beta-Eudesmol 91457 Click to see 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
Pygmol 14167388 Click to see 256.38 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Germacrane sesquiterpenoids
(1E,7S)-4beta,5alpha-Epoxygermacr-1(10)-en-2beta,6beta-diol 101014201 Click to see CC1=CC(CC2(C(O2)C(C(CC1)C(C)C)O)C)O 254.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2E,6E,10S)-3,7-dimethyl-10-propan-2-ylcyclodeca-2,6-dien-1-ol 71608919 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CC(C(CC1)C(C)C)O)C 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2E,6R,10R)-10-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3-methyl-7-methylidenecyclodec-2-ene-1,6-diol 15479893 Click to see CC1=CC(C(CCC(=C)C(CC1)O)C(C)(C)O)O 254.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2E,6S,10R)-10-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3-methyl-7-methylidenecyclodec-2-ene-1,6-diol 15479892 Click to see 254.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2E,6S,10S)-3-methyl-7-methylidene-10-propan-2-ylcyclodec-2-ene-1,6-diol 100982187 Click to see 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2R,3S,6E,10S)-6,10-dimethyl-3-propan-2-yl-11-oxabicyclo[8.1.0]undec-6-en-2-ol 14109689 Click to see 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2R,3S,7R,10S)-10-methyl-6-methylidene-3-propan-2-yl-11-oxabicyclo[8.1.0]undecane-2,7-diol 10610977 Click to see 254.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,4S,5E,7S)-4-methyl-10-methylidene-7-propan-2-ylcyclodec-5-ene-1,4-diol 9991811 Click to see 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,2R,3S,6E)-6-methyl-10-methylidene-3-propan-2-ylcyclodec-6-ene-1,2-diol 100982186 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C(C(C(CC1)C(C)C)O)O 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR,11E,12aR)-2,2,4,4,11-pentamethyl-7-methylidene-4a,5,6,9,10,12a-hexahydrocyclodeca[d][1,3]dioxin-8-one 10732427 Click to see 292.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(4E,6R,7R)-6-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4-methyl-10-methylidenecyclodec-4-en-1-one 10729506 Click to see 252.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Germacrene D 5317570 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C=CC(CC1)C(C)C 204.35 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones
tatridin B 14191260 Click to see CC1=CC(C2C(CC(=C)C(CC1)O)OC(=O)C2=C)O 264.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives
(3aR,4S,6E,10E,11aR)-4-hydroxy-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-2-one 12299961 Click to see CC1=CC2C(C(CC(=CCC1)C)O)C(=C)C(=O)O2 248.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Arnidiol 10478550 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Calenduladiol 461835 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Dammaradienol 13893946 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Dammaradienyl acetate 14137680 Click to see 468.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Faradiol 9846222 Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC(C2(CC=C1C)C)O)C)C)(C)C)O)C 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives
Cycloartenol 92110 Click to see CC(CCC=C(C)C)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Tertiary alcohols
(4S)-2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol 5288834 Click to see 118.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Acetals / Ketals
(2E,5R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-diene 44575221 Click to see CC#CC#CC=C1C=CC2(O1)CC=CO2 198.22 unknown via CMAUP database
(2Z,5R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-diene 44575223 Click to see 198.22 unknown via CMAUP database
[(2E,5R,9R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-dien-9-yl] acetate 92269932 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
[(2E,5S,9R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-dien-9-yl] acetate 92269933 Click to see CC#CC#CC=C1C=CC2(O1)C(C=CO2)OC(=O)C 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
[(2Z,5R,9R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-dien-9-yl] acetate 92973365 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
[(2Z,5S,9R)-2-hexa-2,4-diynylidene-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,7-dien-9-yl] acetate 92973366 Click to see 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives
Dracunculin 5319474 Click to see COC1=C2C(=C3C(=C1)C=CC(=O)O3)OCO2 220.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins
Isoscopoletin 69894 Click to see 192.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
chrysoplenol D 5280699 Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C(=C1)OC(=C(C2=O)OC)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)OC 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Chrysosplenol E 5315857 Click to see 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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